The numbers 7-6-4 represent the zip code of the original creator of the group, Bradley Cadenhead, who was from Texas. In 2023, he was found guilty of possessing child pornography and sentenced to 80 years in prison.
FBI Special Agent Robert Eikhoff, who's in charge of the Jackson field office, says the agency discovered traces of the organization in Mississippi through graffiti.
“At first it was viewed as normal graffiti, but it was forwarded to us through local law enforcement,” he said. “As we had a chance to review it, we noticed that there's particular symbology in there, basically 7-6-4.”
Also called “the CVLT,” 764 targets and grooms children, manipulating them into sharing violent and sexually explicit material of themselves.
Hinds County Sheriff, Tyree Jones, says the presence of this organization is a global issue.
“The Internet is a major platform for criminal activity, specifically to target our younger generation and our younger people,” he said. “They find a way to communicate. And sometimes they may find themselves communicating with the wrong individual that is looking to bring hurt or harm to them and or their families also.”
Eikhoff, the FBI agent, says children are forced to depict themselves in very graphic ways.
“We're seeing very horrific, gore type of images being produced where these individuals, these children are carving into their bodies images ‘764’ or the username of the person who is manipulating them, exploiting them” he said. “In some instances, it's going down to the bone.”
Rhonda Davis is the deputy director of Hinds Behavioral Health Services. She says parents should pay close attention to the mental health of their children.
“These groups are targeting people and children in particular who are vulnerable, who may be experiencing some type of mental health issue that could be symptoms of depression, isolation, low self-esteem, a need to feel connected and need to have attention,” she said.
Dyelicia Vasquez is the clinical director at Hinds Behavioral Health Services. She says vulnerable children who go online are often targeted by groups like 764.
“They're using the Internet and social media and different things as coping mechanisms, and they're being cherry picked from that population,” she said.
Many other groups have formed from 764. Mississippians are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the FBI if they see anything that indicates the presence of this organization.
